Schliep Earns Postgraduate Scholarship

Seniors Bronsen Schliep and Jessica Yoachim continued Nebraska’s recent haul of academic awards as they were part of a group of 24 student-athletes from the Big 12 Conference who were selected to receive the 2005-06 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship, the league office announced Wednesday. The Big 12 has provided $845,600 for postgraduate education over the first 10 years of the league’s existence, including $6,900 for each winner this year.

Schliep, who was also awarded a $7,500 postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA in May, finished his athletic career by helping the Nebraska men’s basketball team to its second postseason appearance in three years while posting a 19-13 record in 2005-06. On the court, Schliep earned praise from his teammates despite limited playing time as he received the team’s most improved player award in 2003 and outstanding attitude award in 2005. He was also the basketball squad’s lifter of the year in 2003.

A two-time first-team academic All-Big 12 selection and a 2006 nominee for CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, Schliep finished his undergraduate program with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average over 10 semesters. A native of Fairfield, Neb., Schliep was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll every semester during his five years at Nebraska and was a first-team academic all-district selection as a senior. He was the only player selected to the conference honor roll with a perfect GPA. Schliep was one of four Husker seniors to earn his degree in May 2006.

Yoachim ended her career with the Huskers ranked among the all-time leaders on the softball field and in the classroom. A four-year starter and three-time first-team all-conference performer, Yoachim led the Huskers to a 44-12 record in 2006 ? the third-best single-season winning percentage (.786) in school history ? and the program’s 12th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The speedy Yoachim tied the NU single-season record with 32 stolen bases as a senior, including setting a new program mark by swiping 52 consecutive bases over 91 games without being caught. She successfully stole 84 bases (on 87 attempts) to rank third on the Husker career chart, and also ranked first on the sacrifices list with 44.

A two-time first-team academic all-league selection, Yoachim was nominated for academic All-America honors in 2006 after earning a spot on the academic all-district first team. A native of Arkansas City, Kan., Yoachim was a six-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll selection, including each of her last three semesters. She was a May 2006 graduate, one of five current and former softball players to earn their degree this spring.

The list of Big 12 Conference postgraduate scholarship winners now stands at 153 since the first awards were given in 1997. The scholarships are named in honor of Dr. Prentice Gautt, the former Big 12 Conference staff member who was also a pioneer in student services in collegiate athletics. He passed away in March 2005.

To earn nomination for the postgraduate award, student-athletes must have: at least a 3.5 grade-point average; participated in at least two years of athletic competition for the member school; and completed his/her athletic eligibility. Winners must receive their undergraduate degree within 15 months of selection for the scholarship and then enroll in graduate/professional school within two years of graduation.